The Westin Pune
One of the most popular hotels in Pune, The Westin Pune is located in Koregaon Park, one of the most expensive and prominent localities in the city. A plush hotel with vast open spaces, The Westin Pune Koregaon Park houses 277 rooms in all including 189 Deluxe Guest Rooms, 73 Executive Club rooms and Club Suites. It was a pleasant surprise to be welcomed by luxurious amenities such as gourmet chocolates, fruits and a bottle of wine accompanied by a welcome note by General Manager Nishant Agarwal when I checked into a plush and spacious penthouse suite located on the 9th floor of the hotel.
“Being centrally located, The Westin Pune Koregaon Park is in close proximity to the airport and central business districts making it one of the most popular hotels in town” said General Manager Nishant Agarwal. He has been the General Manager of The Westin Pune Koregaon Park since 2016. He brings a wealth of hospitality experience with more than 16 years of hospitality experience. Nishant’s journey in the hospitality industry has been far-reaching given his achievements in the preceding years. In his current role as the General Manager of The Westin Pune Koregaon Park, he oversees the complete hotel’s operations and is also actively involved in the development and implementation of marketing and operations plans as well as budget and goal programs to ensure optimum guest satisfaction, sales potential and profitability. Apart from having a vibrant personality, Nishant has a proficient on-site management style and excellent relationship-building abilities. During his free time, he loves to play squash with his two little toddlers.
Those who have a fondness for gourmet cuisine will enjoy being in the hotel as there is something to cater to everyone’s palate. Executive Chef Sahil Sabhlok and his efficient team create unique culinary experiences for every guest who visits the hotel. I was treated to an interesting lunch by the friendly and efficient Executive Chef himself which comprised of an asparagus and goat cheese soup, scallops with green pea and cauliflower relish, salmon served during the main course and followed by a good looking sugar free chocolate dessert with a raspberry centre. The chef ’s team has a talented pastry chef Marimuthu Selvaraj and he created a fabulous range of chocolates, desserts and a gorgeous red velvet cake to showcase his talent.
A meal at Kangan is a gourmet journey that a food enthusiast in Pune cannot miss! Kangan as the name suggests serves Indian cuisine
specifically from Hyderabad and the North West Frontier. The elegant authentic Indian restaurant is a place where you can sample a variety of North-Indian dishes as I did recently. Kangan features delicate chandeliers reminiscent of decorative Indian bangles, or kangans, traditionally donned on women’s wrists for weddings and feasts— while kangan-adorned walls that evoke a distinct era al come together to create the ideal ambience for savouring authentic and delicious Indian fare. While in Kangan, a meal becomes even more interesting as one gets to observe expert chefs dish up delicacies owing to the presence of a tandoor show kitchen. Those who enjoy royal cuisine such as biryanis, koftas and mouth watering curries that originate from the land of the Nawabs and Mughal dynasty are in for a treat here. A glass of wine or whiskey is a great idea to enjoy with a fabulous meal as Kangan’s beverage menu has an extensive selection of some of the finest wines and whiskeys. A plethora of grilled meats, seafood, and vegetables enhanced by the use of spices make for a delectable meal at Kangan. The cuisine and ambiance is a great balance of the contemporary and historical. An all day dining restaurant, Seasonal Tastes is very popular for its Sunday brunches and breakfasts as I discovered during my recent stay. Daily Treats is a one-stop destination for gourmet delicatessen items such as fresh juices, delicious muffins, puffs, croissants, gourmet chocolates and an equally alluring selection of cakes, breads, decorative pastries and cookies which can be enjoyed with tea, coffee or smoothies. I noticed a cute white bicycle serving filter coffee with biscuits parked at Daily Treats.
The moment one steps into Mix@36, it is obvious that this place is several notches higher than a regular lounge in Pune. A sauvé, retro lounge meant to attract busy corporates, young achievers as well as the regulars, Mix@36 is a lounge that spells luxury with a capital ‘L’. A perfect blend of retro music, innovative cuisine and muddled mixology, with a magnetic atmosphere and evoking music, Mix@36 is the perfect place to unwind and let go of a hectic day. Overlooking the Mula Mutha River, Mix@36 has long standing tables, cushy sofas to enjoy an informal chat and a snooker table too. All these factors make for a perfect evening for those looking to relax after a hard day’s work. For those who like to enjoy their evening drink under the stars, this venue is the ideal hangout as there is an Alfresco area as well. This outer area also known as the Riverview deck of Mix@36 is a visual delight what with LED-lit high standing tables. Live counters on the open air bar deck add to the already enthralling ambiance. DJs belts out an eclectic, cool, Latin and international global
mix of sounds. Gleaming blue lights lend a cool contemporary look to the inside section of Mix@36, providing a majestic ambiance to the lounge. The weekend sundowners at this popular lounge are a big hit with the young crowd in Pune. This attractive lounge lives upto its name and whips up an innovative range of cocktails and this time I tried a litchi flavoured cocktail which was delicious. The lounge has an interesting food menu for those who wish to eat a little something while enjoying a drink.
I spent a relaxing weekend in the hotel owing to the efficient spa therapists at the Heavenly Spa located at the lobby level. Heavenly Spa by Westin provides state of the art treatments and facilities that cater to all aspects of wellness needs. Equipped with sauna, steam rooms, jet tubs, The Heavenly Spa is designed by the prominent Andy Fisher Workshop and Design Cell and offers a repertoire of treatments such as massages, wraps, facials, scrubs as well as soaks. This 900 sq. ft spa has 6 treatment rooms each with their own steam and shower amenities. The Heavenly Spa managed by Anu Mohan has two couple treatment rooms called Embrace and Escape which offer more space for a personal retreat. The Signature Heavenly Massage is a must try experience during which, a warm heat pack is applied to the back releasing stress, followed by a powerful aromatherapy remedy to release any tension held in the body. Ideal for improving blood circulation and increasing one’s energy levels, therapists at this spa claim that relaxation comes from the harmonious balance of smell and touch. This time I also tried the anti aging facial which did wonders for my skin. The Rollers Sage and Jet Lag Reliever are popular massages in this spa.
The House of Medici reflects the core concept of the popular House of Medici – an Italian banking family, political dynasty and later a Royal house. This is Pune’s most popular nightclub and its interiors are breathtaking and mesmerized me as soon as I stepped into this elegant city hotspot in Pune. With an exuberant and majestic ambience, resonating the aura of Renaissance architectural design, an elegant décor, heart thumping live performances and a contemporary menu makes this an ideal destination to celebrate life every day when in Pune. Exquisitely carpeted wooden floors, lush leather furnishings, artistic Italian/Greek sculptures and royal chandeliers come together to give a feeling of pure opulence. The House of Medici also features the longest bar in the country with a 104 foot long horseshoe shape featuring a lavish beverage menu with signature cocktails created by combining unique flavors from fruits, spices and herbs. The beverage menu boasts of an extensive selection of single malts and whiskies, vodkas, beers and wines to suit all tastes. The House of Medici is the perfect place to unwind in the evening with Live Acts and Mixologists putting up their best show in a luxurious ambience with high end food and service. The fact that this high profile venue is located at one of the best locations in Pune-Koregaon Park add to it’s popularity with locals and tourists alike.
The Westin Pune Koregaon Park is a great choice for a relaxing holiday or even for a weekend staycation or for business travel considering it offers high end cuisines in its multiple restaurants, one of the best spas in the city, a vibrant nightclub and lounge, friendly and efficient service along with beautifully designed rooms all of which add up to make for an uplifting experience!